AgriLand understands that “insufficient cabin space” and a “lack of passenger service” on board means some team members of export companies are unable to travel on the Stena Line cargo ship for the duration of the journey.

This ship is a replacement vessel being used while Stena Line’s routine vessel – the Stena Horizon – is in dry dock for a planned annual refit.

This publication has been informed that those affected must leave Rosslare Europort once their vehicles, carrying calves, are loaded onto the new cargo ship.

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They must then travel to the east of England by alternative means – often involving the hire of a car or mini van – before boarding a ferry to finally meet the cargo ship again in Cherbourg.

Previously, when the Stena Line’s former vessel – the Stena Horizon – was in operation, one man or woman would be tasked with the responsibility of looking after the calves’ welfare in each individual truck throughout the journey.

However, it is understood that exporting companies are now faced with a situation where by just one person is being tasked with the responsibility of looking after up to four truckloads of calves.

As a result, it is understood that other members of the team are being forced to travel across the UK, before eventually meeting up with the vessel in France.

When contacted by AgriLand, Stena Line had no comment to make on the matter.